1. Federal Government Affairs Update
Annick C. Miller Rivera, Senior Policy Advisor
Water Strategies, LLC

2. 2017 Congressional To-Do List
FY 2018 budget
Pass tax reform by the end of 2017
Fix health insurance issues
Another disaster spending bill
Continue funding the federal government (Dec. 8th)
Increase the debt ceiling (Dec. 8th)
Nominations
…AND there are just 25 legislative days left.

3. Fiscal Year 2018 Funding Budget Federal funding expires December 8th
The House passed all of its appropriations bills
The Senate has only passed a handful out of committee
Budget
Republicans passed a $4 trillion budget that includes reconciliation
Why a budget? tax reform 

4. Western Drought Response Funding
FY 2015–2017 Congress increased Reclamation’s funding by $300 million for drought and water supply- related activities.
“It was always intended to be a temporary measure to address unusual circumstances. With the extreme drought conditions now over, and with the new authorities provided in the WIIN Act, Reclamation can return its focus to long-term solutions to long-term water supply issues.”
House E&W FY 2018 Report

5. Reclamation Commissioner Nominee: Brenda Burman
July 20 Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee held a confirmation hearing
August 3 Senate Energy & Natural Resources passed Burman’s nomination out of Committee
TBD full Senate vote

6. The Future of Water Infrastructure

7. Recent News
Sen. Jeff Flake announced plans for a Western water infrastructure and drought resilience bill.
Previous bill included:
Bureau of Reclamation Transparency Act
Water Supply Permitting Act
Bureau of Reclamation Project Streamlining Act
Water Rights Protection Act
Senator Jeff Flake recently announced his plans for a Western water infrastructure and drought resilience bill. The legislative package will draw from the recently held Senate Energy and Natural Resources’ groundwater roundtable discussion, in which CBDL and ECBID Board Member Orman Johnson participated.
According to reports, the bill will attempt to advance policy that would encourage water infrastructure development and remove barriers that could lead to better management of existing facilities.
Senators have been meeting to discuss what a western component to an infrastructure package would look like

8. Will it move?

9. Waters of the United Sates
Everyone’s Favorite Rule

10. Supreme Court Action
October 11, Supreme Court argument on jurisdiction over “Waters of the United States” rule.
The question before the Court is whether the case should be heard in district courts or courts of appeals.
… MEANWHILE

11. The EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers formally proposed the withdrawal of the “Waters of the U.S.” rule. 
Step 1 recodification of 2008 guidance governing the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act.
Step 2 reworking of the rule to actually define “Waters of the United States.”
Recommendations deadline is November 28, 2017.

12. Thank You Any questions? Annick Miller Rivera
(202)
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